I really enjoy this author and this book as much or more than all of the books he had written. Yes, I will listen again and again to catch the details of this multi-tapistry creation.

Any additional comments?

The readers will miss something special if they don't read all of this authors books for the history, the culture and the personal relationships that all lead to a memorable moments with excellent endings.

An absorbing tale about WWII in the South Pacific. The narrator, who has an Aussie accent, does a superb job. The story is complex and deals with the horrors faced by a young woman living under the Japanese in the Dutch East Indies, in parallel with the story of her admirer, a young man who escapes the invasion to reach Australia. A thoroughly satisfying read, including the ending.

If you could sum up The Persimmon Tree in three words, what would they be?

touching, informative, historical

Who was your favorite character and why?

hard to pick a favorite but the two leading roles are fascinating and life affirming

Which character – as performed by Humphrey Bower – was your favorite?

Probably Anna.

If you could take any character from The Persimmon Tree out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Lead man. He is clever, resourceful, dedicated, well educated, experienced in hand to hand combat, a crack shot, and according to the book incredibly good looking!

Any additional comments?

When i saw the length of this book I was initially put off. However, the story and performance were so good I found myself being relieved to have a long train, plane or car ride so I could listen to it for a good stretch. Very engrossing and you really felt that the characters were three dimensional people. It was also exceptionally interesting to learn about this small part of the war in this particular part of the world. By the end of the book I felt I knew something I hadn't when I began, and isn't that why we read books really? not just for entertainment (and this was plenty entertaining!) but to learn new things.

Sorry, I do not understand all the great reviews. At the end of the first download, I am loathed to go on, I can't stand the sex scenes. I don't want to know anymore about "wee willy" or "jumping jack". Yuk, I am not a prude, but really? Can't we just get back to the story? Romance?

I can't understand, when authors write how difficult it is to get their books published, how this one could have made it through. There are a couple of interesting stories buried deep beneath mountains of laborious description, including an awful lot of trivia the narrator, a main character, could not have known. He delivers lines such as,

Has The Persimmon Tree turned you off from other books in this genre?

No. One author doesn't ruin it for the others.

What does Humphrey Bower bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

His accent. His ability to distinguish about 50 different voices.

You didn???t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The exotic adventure of it all: a multi-talented protagonist (a linguist, athlete, loving, understanding - too gorgeous for words), an oriental location, a deep love that is almost unattainable, and a fabulous story with war and danger and suffering!

What other book might you compare The Persimmon Tree to and why?

I find Courtney quite unique - such realism (both weakness and strength in the characters), nuanced feeling and exquisite story-telling. Power of One also had me at

Which character – as performed by Humphrey Bower – was your favorite?

Of course, the protagonist, what was his name?

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were so many, but of course, after so many years, the lovers finally find each other even though they've both been through incredible suffering and injury.

Any additional comments?

I would highly, and enthusiastically, recommend this book for a powerful escape from life.

If you could sum up The Persimmon Tree in three words, what would they be?

Survival Love Story

What other book might you compare The Persimmon Tree to and why?

Unbroken, another good Story of Survival during WWII, this one by Laura Hillenbrand

What does Humphrey Bower bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A nice flavor of the main character's Australian heritage.

If you could take any character from The Persimmon Tree out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Nick of course.... A truly unique character, a man's man and a ladies man - one for the ages!

Any additional comments?

I listened to this book due to the good reviews, and I'll add my good review to the list. I actually thought this was based on a true story, but came to find out it is a fictitious account based on true History. It is a bit unbelievable to some extent (oddly enough it would only be believable if in fact it WAS based on actual accounts - the only reason for 4-stars versus 5-stars), but still a terrific story and great performance by the reader/narrator - Highly recommended and I will listen to the next book in the story.